“The personal connection between the volunteers and the participants is huge,” Executive Director Mary King said. “The volunteers love it [and] the participants look forward to it.”
Meals are dropped off to homes of individuals who cannot cook for themselves. Metroport Meals on Wheels also delivers meals to local senior living facilities, King said.
"I really choose to focus on that we [are] able to bring joy at a time when there might not [be] much joy,” she said.
The overview
Metroport Meals on Wheels is located off US 377 in Roanoke and services people in northeast Tarrant County, south Denton County and south Wise County, King said. Meals come from restaurant and grocery store partners such as Central Market in Southlake, Snooty Pig Cafe in Argyle and Dove Creek Cafe in Roanoke.
Individuals or caregivers who need meals can call Metroport Meals on Wheels to see if they are eligible for hot meals delivered directly to their home five days a week, King said.
Some households receive 10-12 extra meals a month so residents can keep their pantries stocked. In November, each home is given four extra meals in case of emergency winter storms.
The impact
Metroport Meals on Wheels volunteers don't just assist seniors. The organization also provides meals for anyone who may not be able to make a meal for themselves.
“A lot of people are never going to have the luxury of living to be 60; they need help when they need it, not at some mystical age,” King said. “Looking at who gets meals; is it someone who can consistently cook and shop for themselves? If they cannot, that would be an eligibility factor. If they are chronically isolated, that would be an eligibility factor.”
One participant of the program suffered from terminal breast cancer and lived with her daughter who was single, King said. Metroport Meals on Wheels provided meals to the mother while her daughter was working, relieving some of their financial burden.
“[These] meals brought peace of mind for both as well as stress relief for [the daughter], allowing her to spend quality time with her dying mother,” King said.
The volunteers bring comfort and aid to individuals, including recipient Cindy, who is losing her vision, King said. Volunteers bring a hot meal to Cindy and assist with simple chores like bringing in mail.
"[The volunteers] always show how much they care," Cindy said. "The personal touch is wonderful. It's like having an extra family."
How to help
Metroport Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers to deliver meals, King said.
“Ideally, our volunteers drive one day a month,” King said. “That's [around] 22 days a month that we have meals going out.”
Volunteers pick up meals from Metroport Meals On Wheel’s restaurant partners and follow the route given to them to deliver the meals. Typically, a route can take an hour and a half, depending on how much time the volunteer talks with the participants. Individuals who are delivering meals must be 18 or older.
“A lot of our volunteers have younger children and they'll bring the younger children with them and that is wonderful,” King said. “The seniors generally love it.”
One major way Metroport Meals on Wheels funds its program is through Sadie’s, a resale store that sells furniture, clothes, books and trinkets. Sadie’s generates funds for the program by donating all proceeds from merchandise sold to Metroport Meals on Wheels' delivered meal programs, according to its website.
Volunteers can work in Sadie’s to help customers find gifts and consignment items, King said.
- 428 US 377, Roanoke
- www.metroportmow.org
